Description
Product Characteristics:
Interleukins (ILs) are a large group of cytokines that are produced mainly by leukocytes, although some are produced by certain phagocytes and auxiliary cells. Each IL acts on a specific, limited group of cells through a receptor specific for that IL. Interleukin 1 (IL1), originally known as lymphocyte activating factor (LAF), activates T cells and lymphocytes, which then proliferate and secrete interleukin 2. IL1 is primarily released from stimulated macrophages and monocytes, but also is released from several other cell types and is thought to play a key role in inflammatory and immune responses. The two closely related agents, interleukin 1 alpha (IL1 alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1 beta) bind to the same cell surface receptor, elicit nearly identical biological responses and share 25 % homology in their amino acid sequence.
Subcellular location: Secreted
Synonyms: interleukin-1 alpha, Hematopoietin 1, IL 1 alpha, IL 1, IL 1A, Il-1a, IL1, IL1A, IL1F1, ilia, Interleukin 1 alpha, Interleukin 1 alpha precursor, Interleukin1 alpha, Preinterleukin 1 alpha, Pro interleukin 1 alpha, Prointerleukin 1 alpha.
Target Information: The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This cytokine is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in various immune responses, inflammatory processes, and hematopoiesis. This cytokine is produced by monocytes and macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed and released in response to cell injury, and thus induces apoptosis. This gene and eight other interleukin 1 family genes form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2. It has been suggested that the polymorphism of these genes is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's disease. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]